Steeve Lavoie

“I support this bill because it invests in young Canadians. It helps train young people for skilled trades, gives students more money for school, and lowers living costs for young families.”

“Mr. Speaker, as this is the last time I will be speaking in the House before the summer, I would like to take a moment to pay tribute to those we typically see less of, and without whom our work here would quite simply be impossible. Every day, behind each of our speeches, debates, votes and committee proceedings, there are hundreds of dedicated professionals who ensure that this institution runs smoothly. I am thinking of the clerks, analysts, interpreters, translators, pages, security personnel, technicians, IT staff, administrative support teams and employees in catering, maintenance, transport and communications, as well as all the staff of the House of Commons Administration. I am also thinking of all the civil servants and employees in the various departments and agencies who work diligently, with professionalism and impartiality in the service of the Canadian people. Their work is often behind the scenes, but it has an immense impact. Thanks to their expertise, patience and commitment, we are able to fulfill our mandate of representing our citizens and making progress on the issues that matter to Canadians. On behalf of all MPs, I would like to express our deep gratitude. Their dedication contributes to the vitality of our democracy and the strength of our institutions every single day. I would also like to highlight the exceptional work of our constituency and parliamentary office employees. They are the ones who answer calls, greet constituents, help people navigate their dealings with government departments, organize our meetings, prepare our files and enable us to be present both in our ridings and in Ottawa. They are often the first to hear constituents’ concerns and the last to leave the office when an urgent matter needs to be resolved. Their dedication, compassion and professionalism improve the lives of thousands of Canadians in very real ways. Although our debates sometimes pit us against one another, we all share the good fortune of being supported by competent and committed people who work behind the scenes to move things forward. I would like to sincerely thank all of the women and men who serve our democracy with discretion, integrity and dedication. In particular, I want to thank Nancy, Souraya, Nicholas, Aboubacar and Myriam. I am proud to work with them. I rise today to speak to the economic update from a perspective that hits home for me, especially as a father and grandfather, and that issue is youth. Current and future generations are the ones building our country’s future amid an uncertain, unprecedented and constantly changing environment. Young Canadians embody what is best about Canada: its openness, vibrancy, curiosity, diversity and ambition. They have ideas, opinions and talents and are unafraid of challenges. They want to contribute, build, create and innovate. They want a country that gives them a real chance at success. More than anything, they want to contribute and do their part. Well, this spring, the government reaffirmed the need to invest in them and to ensure that no young person in this country feels abandoned by the government when it comes to rising to the challenges of current, potential or future issues. This is exactly what this economic update is proposing through a host of important measures. First, let us talk about the team Canada strong initiative, an ambitious plan to recruit, train and hire up to 100,000 young skilled tradespeople by 2030. One of the best ways to support the younger generation while ensuring Canada’s prosperity and resilience today and for years to come is to invest in jobs. Team Canada strong provides Canadian workers with paid work placements that lead directly to essential jobs building homes, modernizing infrastructure and strengthening our security. With paid internships, up to $10,000 in grants per apprentice and a $5,000 bonus upon Red Seal certification, we are equipping young people to specialize in an exciting trade while building the Canada of tomorrow. Then there is education. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Canada has the most educated population in the world. That is an immense asset, but it is meaningless if even one young person is left behind. No one in Canada should go without an education because they cannot afford it. That is why we are extending the increase in scholarships and interest-free student loans. More than 570,000 students will receive increased support, and more than 420,000 will have access to subsidized loans. That is a direct investment in young people, allowing them to reach their full potential and contribute to our country’s growth and economic development. I am also thinking of young families who have been facing significant increases in the cost of living in recent years due to international upheaval and conflicts beyond our control. The economic update accelerates the construction of rental housing and reduces construction costs. It also includes a national school food program that will provide 400,000 children with access to healthy meals and save parents nearly $800 a year. In addition, it provides for an increase in the Canada child benefit and the Canadian dental care plan, as well as a reduction in child care costs. This economic update is not just a financial plan. It is a commitment to Canada’s youth and a message of hope, confidence and responsibility. We cannot predict Canada’s future. We must build it with our young people. Earlier, I spoke about the Red Seal. The Red Seal represents Canadian excellence in many trades. It certifies that a worker has met the highest standards of skill recognized across the country. Whether they are an electrician, welder, industrial mechanic, carpenter or work in one of the many other eligible trades, Red Seal holders can practise their profession from coast to coast to coast, knowing that their qualifications are recognized everywhere. This certification allows workers to seize opportunities wherever they arise and gives employers access to recognized expertise, no matter where in the country they are located. The Red Seal is more than just a certification. It is a symbol. It serves as a reminder that excellence is not limited to boardrooms and research labs. It can also be found in our workshops, on our construction sites and in our factories. In my riding, Beauport—Limoilou, and throughout Quebec and Canada, many business owners are talking about how hard it is to recruit skilled workers, who are essential to our economy. They are essential to our ability to build faster, produce more and innovate. That is why we continue to promote skilled trades among young people, individuals in the process of changing careers and newcomers who want to contribute to our economy. Lastly, Canada has what the world wants. We are a true energy superpower, in both clean energy and conventional energy. We also have immense reserves of the critical minerals that are essential to the global energy transition and the technologies of tomorrow. We enjoy privileged access to international markets through free trade agreements with countries that represent more than 1.5 billion consumers. We are already beginning to see the results. In just 12 months, Canada has developed more than 20 new economic and defence partnerships with international partners. These efforts have helped to bring in nearly $97 billion in foreign investment to our economy. This is just the beginning. In September, our government will be hosting the first-ever Canada investment summit. This event will bring together investors, businesses, institutional partners and decision-makers to showcase the unique opportunities that Canada has to offer. We have the resources, the talent, the institutions and the economic and political stability that investors around the world are looking for. Now, we also have a clear plan to turn this advantage into growth, into well-paying jobs and into lasting prosperity for future generations.”

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“The opposition delayed our work on this bill in committee for hours, but families and seniors need help right now. I want to know how my colleague felt during those delays.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent speech. We spent many hours together at the Standing Committee on Finance. I would like to hear his opinion, because things move very quickly here and sometimes we do not have time to discuss things. I would like to know how he felt during all those hours when we were unable to move the bill forward, when we could not make any progress because of the opposition’s filibusters. We know what families and seniors are going through right now, and that is why we want to move forward. That is why people elected us. What was my colleague feeling during all that time?”

In response to a question from Grant Jackson

“We need to work together to build a strong country. The opposition parties say they want to help, but they vote against programs for dental care and groceries. I want them to support these programs instead.”

“Madam Speaker, I am not sure that question was actually directed at me, but I will take the time to answer it. During my speech, I recounted a story my father used to tell me when I was young, a story about optimists and pessimists. The whole idea is that if we want to build a strong Canada, if we want to look to the future, we have to be part of the optimists’ club. If we are pessimists, we will get nowhere together, and the word “together” will cease to exist. That is what we are building, and it saddens me to see members of the opposition parties saying one thing in the House and then doing another. I am talking about voting against measures that help, such as the Canadian dental care plan and the Canada groceries and essentials benefit. I would like to see them join us on the optimistic side.”

In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“Canada has plenty of energy and minerals, and trade deals give us access to 1.5 billion customers around the world. Even though times are tough, our plan to grow the economy and bring in investment is setting us up well for the future.”

“Madam Speaker, I see that my colleague is part of the optimists’ club too. I am glad about that, and I am sure we will make something good out of it. Canada is truly a superpower when it comes to clean and conventional energy. We have vast deposits of critical minerals, so we are well equipped. I see this because I am a member of the Standing Committee on International Trade. I have seen the agreements we are signing all over the world. As I mentioned earlier, that is nearly 1.5 billion consumers worldwide we can do business with. There is no doubt that by diversifying our economy and continuing to attract investment here, we are truly laying the groundwork for the future, and people know it. People know we are going through some rough times right now, but they still believe in us, and we really feel that.”

“Canada's economy is doing well, despite what the opposition says. We are creating jobs, wages are growing faster than prices, and our banks are strong. I do not agree with the motion.”

“Madam Speaker, I am grateful for the opportunity to speak today. When I read the motion today, I could not help but think of a story my father told me when I was a kid. The story had to do with Optimist clubs. There are Optimist clubs in Quebec and in just about every province in Canada, and they are really essential to the community. They work hard. I am thinking in particular of the clubs in Beauport—Limoilou that sell hot dogs at baseball tournaments and donate the proceeds to young people. Everyone knows about the Optimist clubs in their community. When I was young, my father told me a little story to make me think. Given the success of the Optimist clubs, he told me a story about two guys. The first one tells the other that since Optimist clubs seem to work so well, they should start a “pessimist club”. The second replies that he does not think it will work. When I read the motion, it reminded me a bit of that story, and I will explain why. I think it is important to put some facts back into the debate today. Yes, the global economy is undergoing a period of uncertainty. Yes, the challenges are real. However, presenting Canada as an economic failure is more pessimism than a serious analysis. The fact of the matter is that Canada is still in a great economic position today compared to many of its G7 partners. Canada is expected to have the second-fastest growth in the G7 this year and next. Our banking system, in which I worked for more than 20 years, is recognized as one of the strongest in the world. Our unemployment rate remains historically low despite global economic turbulence. Millions of jobs have been created since the pandemic, and Canada continues to attract major investments in growth sectors such as critical minerals, artificial intelligence, batteries, aerospace and clean technology. Let us not forget the fundamental fact that Canada and the United States share the world’s longest international border. This proximity gives us privileged access to the world’s largest economy. Billions of dollars’ worth of goods and services cross that border every day, supporting millions of jobs on both sides. Few G7 countries enjoy such a significant advantage in terms of geography and trade. However, this advantage also comes with its share of challenges. When the American economy slows down, when trade tensions emerge or when political decisions are made in Washington, the effects are felt here in Canada right away. Our level of economic integration with the United States leaves us more exposed than many other countries to the ups and downs of the U.S. economy and the uncertainties of its trade policies. That is precisely why we must look at our economic performance in context and with a positive outlook. Despite the economic upheaval in recent years, the supply chain disruptions, the rising global inflation and the uncertainty when it comes to our main trading partner, Canada remains one of the most stable and resilient economies in the G7. That is why we need to assess Canada’s economic performance rigorously and honestly. What do the numbers tell us? They tell us that Canada’s economy is stronger and more resilient that many people expected. The May labour force survey results show that our plan is working. While several analysts had predicted that only 10,000 jobs would be created, we actually created 88,000 jobs in one month. That is unbelievable. That is not a small difference. It is almost nine times what the market expected. The unemployment rate also dropped to 6.6% from a high of 7.1% last August. These numbers demonstrate one very simple thing: Despite headwinds, global uncertainty and trade tensions with our main economic partner, Canada’s labour market remains resilient. What is more, over the past 12 months, Canada has created 147,000 jobs. Since December 2024, Canada has added more jobs per capita than the United States. Canada has created 2.8 jobs for every 1,000 residents, nearly double the rate seen among our neighbours to the south. These are results we can be proud of. It is not just the number of jobs that matters. The quality of the jobs matters too. The recent gains have mainly come from full-time jobs, particularly in the construction industry. Why is that so important? It is because it shows that the investments we are making are in infrastructure, housing and major economic projects that deliver real results. That is good news for the people and the riding of Beauport—Limoilou. It also shows that our decision to align our public investments more closely with the construction season is paying off. Meanwhile, wages continue to rise faster than inflation. For over three years now, workers’ incomes have been outpacing price increases. That means more money in the pockets of Canadian families. That is the reality for millions of workers across the country. Of course, there are still some challenges. I am thinking in particular about youth employment. Although youth unemployment is down by 0.9%, marking the first drop since January, we know that many young Canadians are still having a hard time entering the labour market. That is why our government is taking action. In the spring economic update, we announced over $6 billion in investments in our team Canada strong initiative. This initiative will mobilize Canada’s skilled trades workforce and meet the growing needs of our economy. Thanks to these investments, we expect to create more than 100,000 new, well‑paying jobs in the skilled trades by 2030. We are making it easier to access apprenticeships. We are supporting training. We are helping young people find stable, well‑paying jobs that are in demand across the country. We are continuing to protect essential programs like Canada summer jobs and the youth climate corps. The opposition is asking us today to conclude that the Canadian economy is failing. The facts tell a very different story. They show us an economy that continues to add jobs despite global uncertainty. They show us wages rising faster than inflation. They show us investments that are boosting construction and strengthening our productive capacity. They show us a country that remains one of the strongest economies in the G20 despite global challenges. Our government remains focused on a clear priority: building the strongest economy in the G7. That is the goal of budget 2025. That is the goal of the spring economic update. That is the goal of every measure we are implementing to support workers, attract investment, and strengthen Canada’s competitiveness. Canadians are asking us not to give in to pessimism. They want us to build the future. That is exactly what we are doing. Our free trade agreements with Europe and the Indo‑Pacific region have made Canada one of the best-positioned countries in the world for international trade. The real question is this: Are we in a better position to weather this storm than most of our international partners? The answer is yes, because we have strong institutions, strategic natural resources that are in demand all over the world, and access to over 1.5 billion consumers through our trade agreements and, most of all, because we can count on Canadians’ talent, innovation and resilience. Rather than giving into pessimism, we have to acknowledge the challenges yet trust in the incredible strengths of our economy and the immense potential of Canadians. That is exactly what our government is focused on doing: investing in productivity, infrastructure, housing, trade and the workers building our collective prosperity. I, for one, am siding with the optimists.”

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“I support this budget bill because it helps lower the cost of living and grows the economy. I want the Minister of Finance to explain how our plans will help build more homes faster and train more construction workers.”

“Madam Chair, I rise today to speak to Bill C-30, the spring economic update 2026 implementation act. I will also address a fundamental issue for our country, our regions and the people we represent, which is to build a strong, more resilient and more accessible Canada for all. We are currently at a hinge moment. The world we live in is undergoing profound change. It is more uncertain, more fragmented and marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions and increased pressure on the cost of living. For many families, these realities are not just theoretical. They are felt every day, when shopping for groceries, searching for a place to live, or managing a household budget. In my riding of Beauport—Limoilou and across the country, people are under immense pressure. Groceries cost more, affordable housing is harder to find, and every dollar counts. When an organization like Patro Roc-Amadour in Limoilou sees an increase in requests for food assistance, that is not just a statistic. That is a human reality. In this context, our responsibility as parliamentarians is clear. We must act ambitiously, effectively and with discipline. We must focus on those factors that we can control, such as the strength of our economy, our country’s ability to invest and, most of all, Canadians’ quality of life. The spring economic update is closely aligned with those principles. It offers a structured, coherent and future-oriented approach. It strikes a crucial balance between building more, strengthening our economy and easing pressure on the cost of living. Canada leads the G7 in per capita foreign direct investment inflows. To be specific, that is $1,231 per person in the first three quarters of 2025 alone, which is almost twice as much as what the United States took in. Considerable progress has been made over the past year. Major projects have been launched, drawing significant investment and creating tens of thousands of jobs. In my riding, Beauport—Limoilou, these issues are very real. We are smack dab in the middle of a strategic region for trade, transportation and logistics. Our proximity to the St. Lawrence, our infrastructure and our geographic location make us a key player in Canadian supply chains. Every investment in commercial infrastructure, every initiative to improve the flow of trade and every strategic project has a direct impact on us. That means jobs, contracts for our businesses and a more dynamic and resilient local economy. In addition to infrastructure, the strength of our economy and our environment is another important pillar. Yes, they can both appear in the same sentence. Those who know me know how much these two societal issues matter to me. They are inextricably linked to my values: economic development and the environment. All too often, people portray the economy and the environment as being incompatible, as if we had to choose between prosperity and protection, between growth and responsibility. However, when Leger was conducting a survey in June 2023, while I was president of the Chambre de commerce et d’industrie de Québec, I insisted that one last simple but fundamental question be included: Should we always put economic development ahead of environmental issues or, conversely, should we always put environmental issues ahead of economic development, or alternatively, should both carry relatively equal weight in our decisions? The answer was clear: 66% of respondents, or two out of three people, said that economic development and environmental issues should have relatively equal weight in decision-making. People are done with choosing between options. They want to move forward by having both. They want us to be ambitious enough to accomplish both. Since that day, this idea has become more than just a thought exercise to me. It has become my mantra. Canada is in a position of strength. Our country is fortunate enough to have a highly skilled workforce, privileged access to international markets and rich deposits of strategic resources. We are one of the few countries to possess such a vast network of trade agreements that we have access to a significant portion of the global economy. This puts us in a good position despite the international uncertainty. We have to keep diversifying our markets, supporting our businesses and investing in strategic sectors to ensure our long-term growth. Once again, this has a direct impact on my riding of Beauport—Limoilou. Our businesses, our workers and our young people are benefiting from all these opportunities. Let me be clear. Despite the progress, people’s main concern remains the cost of living. For families in my riding, as for all families across the country, the reality is simple. Everyone wants to be able to afford groceries, put a roof over their heads and plan for the future with a modicum of security. That is why measures to improve affordability are essential. For a family in Beauport—Limoilou, this means real and tangible benefits. It means having a little more breathing room at the end of the month. It means being able to handle unexpected expenses. It simply means a little more stability. Measures aimed at accelerating housing construction, supporting innovation in the construction sector and making home ownership more attainable are essential. Every housing project and every initiative aimed at increasing supply directly contributes to improving the situation. In Beauport—Limoilou, these measures are not abstract. They address real needs expressed by our constituents. We live in a world where the rules of the game are changing rapidly. Supply chains are being redefined, economic alliances are shifting and international tensions are directly influencing the market and costs. As I said earlier, the cost of living remains the top priority for our constituents. Numerous concrete measures to help with that have been or will be put in place. I will give a few examples. There will be a Canada groceries and essentials benefit of up to $1,890 for a family of four this year. More than 12 million Canadians will receive this support. A tax cut for the middle class is planned, providing savings of up to $840 for a dual-income family. The consumer carbon tax, amounting to around 18¢ per litre of gas, will be eliminated. There will be a temporary suspension of the excise tax, delivering savings of up to 10¢ per litre of gas. For a family in Beauport—Limoilou, these savings make a difference. They help pay for some of the grocery bill, reduce travel costs and create a little breathing room in a tight budget. This means a family can do their grocery shopping with a little less stress; a worker can count on a stable, well-paid job; a business can invest and grow; and a young person can picture a future here at home. This is exactly what we must continue to build: a Canada firmly rooted in its regions, a Canada that invests in its future, a Canada that supports its citizens, a strong Canada. I now have a few questions for the Minister of Finance. In my riding, Beauport—Limoilou, and across the country, housing remains a major concern, particularly for young families and workers. The 2026 spring economic update proposes several measures to accelerate residential construction, including low-cost loans, support for prefabricated housing, and investments in skilled trades. These measures complement initiatives the government has already implemented, such as the launch of Build Canada Homes, measures to reduce and eliminate the GST for first-time buyers of new homes, efforts to expedite major projects, and investments aimed at increasing the country’s construction capacity. Could you explain how these measures work together to form a comprehensive economic capacity strategy, not only to build more housing, but also to develop the expertise and workforce needed to complete these projects more quickly and at a lower cost?”

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In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“We need to move quickly and pass this bill. The space sector will create future jobs in engineering and innovation for Canada.”

“Mr. Speaker, this sector will create jobs for the future. We are talking about innovation and engineering. It is a developing sector with incredible potential that puts Canada front and centre. These are decisions that have to be made today. In practical terms, investments are already being made, but right now, we need to speed up the process and take the right steps.”

In response to a question from Kevin Lamoureux

“Canada needs to be able to launch its own rockets. A fifth of our economy depends on satellites, but we are the only G7 country that cannot launch them on our own. We must act now to protect our independence.”

“Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague for his excellent question. Yes, in the past, we were not quick enough to invest in certain sectors. Our decisions did not come fast enough. Now is the right time to make this kind of decision. The whole world is watching us, and Canada is the only G7 country that is not autonomous. Twenty per cent of Canada’s economy relies on satellites, yet we have no autonomous launch capabilities. We have been talking a lot about sovereignty over the past year. People see what is going on with the global uncertainty. This is highly relevant to the government’s actions. There are short-, medium- and long-term actions.”

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In response to a question from Dan Muys

“I want the House to pass this bill quickly. It will bring space industry investments to Canada for future generations.”

“Mr. Speaker, with this bill, we are providing certainty and predictability. We want investments to be made here in Canada. These are investments for future generations. During my speech, I talked about the young people who watched Artemis II. I am well aware that some things are expenditures and others are investments. In this case, we are talking about long-term investments. We need to pass this bill now to bring those investments here. This is a sector that is growing rapidly and exponentially. Decisions need to be made now and quickly. That is what Canadians expect from us. They expect us to make decisions and ensure that Canada is ready for the future.”